The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is calling for the removal of a potential plea agreement in the criminal case stemming from the May 22 shooting that critically injured Deputy Jon Samuelson.

The department said Sheriff Ron Heeg and the agency stand behind Samuelson and his wife, Quinn, who want the case against Sharod Grafton to proceed to trial.

In a letter, Quinn Samuelson said the couple discussed trial and plea options with the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office in early August. She said they were informed Sept. 10 that Grafton had been offered a plea deal that would remove weapons enhancement charges.

According to Samuelson, those enhancements could have added 15 to 20 years to Grafton’s potential sentence.

She said her husband was shot three times and that the gun allegedly jammed when the shooter attempted to fire again. Samuelson, who continues recovering from serious injuries, has struggled with mobility, she wrote.

The sheriff’s office said the case has had a lasting impact on Samuelson, his family, fellow deputies and the community. It said its support for the Samuelsons is unwavering and publicly asked that any plea agreement be withdrawn.